Marital satisfaction in women: The role of sexual self-efficacy, experiencing dyspareunia and socio-economic status

Introduction: Marital satisfaction is defined as objective feelings of happiness, satisfaction andpleasure experienced by married couple. Marital satisfaction, as one of the elements of familyhealth, is affected by various factors such as social norms, customs, and expectations. Sexualself-efficacy as one of the important aspects of female sexual affairs may be related to the maritalrelationship. The aim of this study was to evaluate related factors of marital satisfaction in TorbatHeydariyeh, a city in east of Iran.Methods: This research was a cross-sectional study performed on 350 married women in thereproductive age referred to health centers in Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran, in 2018. The data collectiontools were Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaire and a sexual self-efficacy questionnairesdesigned based on Schwarzer s General Self-Efficacy Scale.Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient using SPSS software. In addition, to predict marital satisfaction based on demographic variables and sexual self-efficacy, a stepwise linear regression model was used. A P<0.05 was considered significant.Results: The mean age of participants was 30.85 ±7.56. Most people had high sexual self-efficacy(51%) and relative and intermediate marital satisfaction (68%). There was a significant difference inmarital satisfaction according to husband s job, pain during intercourse and socio-economic status(P <0.05). There was also a significant relationship between sexual self-efficacy and maritalsatisfaction (P = 0.001). According to the linear regression test, only three variables of sexual selfefficacy,dyspareunia and socio-economic status were capable and qualified to anticipate thevariable of marital satisfaction.Conclusions: Due to the significant relationship between sexual self-efficacy and maritalsatisfaction, some interventions to improve this aspect of sexual life may increase the satisfaction ofindividuals from marital life.

Marital satisfaction in women: The role of sexual self-efficacy, experiencing dyspareunia and socio-economic status Keywords:

Marital satisfaction , Sexual self-efficacy , Dyspareunia , Women of reproductive age